{Pigs on the Brain}

Did you know that if you rearrange + eliminate a few letters in the word

S P R I N G

you get

???

My girls cannot leave my little blocks be. We've officially got pigs on the brain around here. Swine Flu or Mad Pig disease or something. It's running rampant! Allow me to introduce Nummy.

She and her sister Delicious (...formerly named Kevin Bacon, but I was out voted. Grrr... time for a Footloose/Tremors marathon! My children's education is seriously lacking.) have taken up residence in our barn until fall and their certain demise. Hence the names. Todd looks forward to eating "Delicious bacon" and "Nummy pork chops." As in, "This bacon sure is Delicious!" *sigh*

I cannot believe that I am a pig farmer.

We even have neighbors stop by on their walk to "visit the pigs." This has happened more times than I'd like to admit. In fact, my own mother-in-law called on the phone the other day and asked how the pigs were doing -- first. Never mind her own flesh and blood son, his three adorable children and pregnant wife. How are those pigs doing?!? Fine, thank you very much. ;) I think she's glad we're coming back to her roots!

If that's not enough swine news for you, it gets worse. Todd's work held a contest and a wild Russian boar hunt was the prize. (This was totally Todd's idea.) Yippee for him, his team won.

And after a very eventful day (Todd got chased down by this boar after he shot it! I bet he screamed like a girl...) it's now taken up residence in my freezer. Not sure how I feel about it. He's mostly sausage (almost 100 lbs!) so Todd now has a huge supply for his nasty sausage gravy habit.

What's a girl to do? Does anybody have a cure?!?

{Buzzed}

...but not pleased about it.
At. all.
To quote the unhappy customer, "I want my spikies back!!!"

I don't think he will ever forgive me.

But for the record, it was all Todd's idea.

{Nana, or, Mother's Day part 2}

In school, Elizabeth was assigned to write and essay about her hero. She chose my mom, her Nana, and I thought today would be a wonderful day to share her sweet little thoughts.

"I don't know what I would do without my nana. She has a big part in my life. She is always ready to help. I can't think of a time that she hasn't helped someone that needs something. She never complains. She is cheerful, kind and gentle.

My nana always keeps things neat and tidy. She can't stand things messy! She organizes everything perfectly. Her house always smells good.

My nana is very smart. She is always memorizing songs, poems, and rhymes. They all teach important lessons. She always has an answer to all of my problems and worries.

My nana is pretty. She walks so gracefully. I love my nana so much that I can't describe it. So there you ahve it. My nana."

I couldn't agree more! My kids call her Nana instead of Grandma because she had a Nana (who lived in the same house my mom does now, her name was Nina Grace -- where Elizabeth got her middle name from). My mom grew up just across the street from her Nana. My mom always says she knew her Nana loved her just because she breathed. I'm 100% sure my mom loves my kids for exactly the same reason. We are so lucky to live so close to her again!

My favorite tradition that she has started is a "Nana Day." My kids look forward to to Nana Days like they do Christmas. It's just an afternoon of pure one-on-one Nana time. She does anything they'd like. Usually little things like bake cookies, play cards, or go to Wendy's and get fries and frosties, or run errands for little things like fun new socks or a new book. She can get them to talk about just about anything... which is such a good thing for Elizabeth! I love that they get to have such quality time together, that they have such a special relationship with my mom. Golly, I just love them all!

I wouldn't be the mom I am without my own mother. I'm not able to find the words to give how my heart feels justice. I just love her!

I stole this little quote from my brillant cousin's FB post: "Few of us will reach our potential without the nurturing of both the mother who bore us and the mothers who bear with us." –Sheri L. Dew

{Deep Thoughts on a Mother's Day}

Mother's day can be one of those really tough holidays. The one where you run around like a maniac just to get everyone to church on time, then spend the three hours there trying not to compare yourself to all the other women sitting calmly with all of it together and listen to talks about how wonderful you're supposed to be while feeling totally inadequate.

I've totally had years like that.

I'm so thankful that this year was testimony meeting instead. One comment in particular saved my day... and probably many more Mother's Days to come. I may not always be the wonder mom I want to be. I won't always get it right. I may loose my patience, my keys, my calendar, my mind.

But it's OK.
Because I get to be the mom to Elizabeth.
To Caroline.
To Louis.
To our sweet little baby.

I'm so blessed to get to be their mom! I love them so much, I'll do everything I can for them. I am blessed to be chosen to be their mom! They are gifts to me on loan from our Heavenly Father. And now He has trusted me to listen to His Spirit to guide four of His little spirits, to teach them.

No pressure.

I am so humbled. I will do my very best. They have made my life wonderful, and I love them all so much! I can't imagine where my life would be without them, without everything they have taught me.

That's the very best Mother's day present I can think of.

Happy Mother's day everyone!

(...and I have to pass this link along. Carrie Stroud is a new favorite blogger of mine, and she has had the most touching posts from guest bloggers talk about what being a mother means to them. So. amazing. Especially Amy's story. *sob* So get inspired, go check it out!)

{Wanna be a GIRL!}

After almost a year of babysitting, Louis got really used to having someone to play with all the time. Now that I'm done (they finally found a house to rent, and her baby is due later this month), he's been stuck with just me, and I think he's quickly finding out that tired prego mommies are boooring. We did a whole morning of chores the other day for "fun" and all he got was a bunch of fish stickers. Lame.

So when the sisters get home from school, boy does the sunshine come out in his little world! I think he asks me a hundred times a day when (he calls them) "my girls" are coming home. Only when he says it, it comes out more like "my ghouls." He adores them.

They tolerate him pretty well. Actually, they're awesome with him. Super patient. He's a lot to handle sometimes.

So the other day when Elizabeth had a friend over, I could tell they were spending a good share of their time trying to (unsuccessfully) hide from the Louster down in her room. I think they finally pulled the good 'ole "Girls Only" rule on him. He walked up to me with the saddest little face and stated, "I wanna be a GHOUL." So I did my best not to laugh, then sent him back downstairs to tell Elizabeth. (I'm such a mean mommy.) Little did I know what that would start.

They were happy to oblige.

Bring on the blackmail pictures.

You can't say he didn't ask for it. Pucker up, Buttercup!

{Double Didgets}

My biggest baby is ten. And she's adorable. And big. And absolutely forbidden to grow up any more. Do you hear me Miss Elizabeth?!?

Her self-designed cupcakecake.


With strawberry ice cream. (Heart you Auntie Laura!)

I'm honestly not sure if she really wanted a pink BB gun, or if Todd wanted a pink BB gun for her birthday. The conversation went a little like this.

Todd, "Are you sure you want roller blades for your birthday?"

Elizabeth, "Yep."

Todd, "You know, there aren't very many sidewalks around here."

Elizabeth, "That's OK. I can take them to the circle, or use them at the park."

Todd, "That doesn't sound like very much fun. Are you sure you don't want a PINK BB GUN for your birthday?"

Etc. etc. etc.

Guess what he got her...?

Guess who loves it? She totally does. He set up a bunch of targets for her, and she's been going out shooting after school. She's really good too!

Ever accommodating, Elizabeth bends over for a good bonk on the head from Aiden.


Walking the slinky. This was also on her list. Along with Poprocks (yes, really).

Funny Slinky story: Over cake and ice cream, Lou starts telling me a very detailed story about how dangerous slinkies are for boys. Slinkies can slice little boys hands off and are full of electricity. And you will get big shocks. But only boys, and boys can never touch slinkies ever, ever, ever. It's very important, because "Uncle Adam wants me to LIVE!" Wonder where all that came from...?

The next day out shooting targets in the barn (it was really windy). I think the pink cowgirl boots from last year her secret weapon.

She had such a big party last year, so we kept it small this time. A trip to the bead store was still in order, where the girls got to make whatever they wanted. It was a blast!

Then we finished the day off with homemade pizzas and more cake and ice cream. Yum.

Elizabeth, you sure know how to party. Happy Birthday, girlie! We love you!

{It's a...WHAT?!?}

If you would have talked to Todd about the gender of this baby (up until 24 hours ago, anyway) he would have told you "GIRL!"
No ifs, ands, or buts.
No doubts.
100% sure.
In fact, a big reason that we decided to even have another baby was because Todd was sure that there was a little girl waiting. I honestly don't even think he considered that there was a tiny possibility that it might be a boy -- even when I brought it up as we were walking into the Dr's office. Well, this doesn't leave much to the imagination:

I made the technician double check twice. Talk about a shocker. I still think I'm in shock over the idea that this baby is a BOY. The whole last 5 months I've had in my mind that we were having a girl, we were thinking of naming her Ada or Ava. But I have to admit, I love this new idea! I little brother for Louis! It's going to be so great! Two girls, two boys! Another darling (hopefully) super-blond little Buster Brown. I'm so in love with him already. A BOY!!!

...but wowsers, does it change up my five-year plan. Considering this time last year we were done having kids and now...? Sheesh. I can't even wrap my mind around it. I'll worry about that one later.

We do know a few things about him from the ultrasound. He's measuring just a little big, but they didn't change my due date. Hopefully I'm not in for another 9 pound boy like Louis was. He was super active during the ultrasound, and also showed off quite the little trick. Talk about flexible! He had one leg sticking straight out, and the other right up next to his head! (...and look at that adorable profile!)

Now we just have to name the little guy. Easier said than done, I'm pretty sure we could have gotten a divorce over picking a name for our last son (Todd won). Although Kevin Bacon has been thrown out there, I think we'll keep up the search for something... else. Any ideas would be appreciated!